Sabres News

NHL ANNOUNCES GREEN INITIATIVE

The Buffalo Sabres aren’t the only hockey organization promoting an environmentally-friendly initiative. As it turns out, the entire National Hockey League is about to ‘go green.’

This weekend, the League announced NHL Green, “a year-round commitment to making the League and its Clubs more ecologically responsible while educating our fans and raising awareness of environmental issues,” according to the Web site.

In conjunction with the National Resources Defense Council, the NHL has pledged to also make its events greener – including the NHL Draft and Stanley Cup Finals.

The changes will begin immediately, with 30,000 plastic shopping bags being replaced with reusable bags during the final playoff series of the 2010 season (The commemorative bags will also be available for purchase. Click here for more).

Efforts have already been in place for other League happenings, such as this year’s Winter Classic in Boston, in which “the NHL sponsored a panel discussion among many of the country's most influential environmental thinkers and activists… sharing their thoughts on sustainability in sports” according to NHL.com.

"Our game originated on frozen ponds," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in the League’s press release. "Most of our players learned to skate on outdoor rinks. For that magnificent tradition to continue through future generations, we need winter weather -- and, as a league, we are uniquely positioned to promote that message. We are thrilled to be able to work with the Natural Resources Defense Council and to draw upon its vast experience and expertise in greening League events and League and Club operations."

For more information, visit the NHL’s green micro-site by clicking here.